Engine rocker arm



Sept 27, 1949.

J. M. LEAKE ENGINE ROCKER'ARM Filed Sept. 21, 1945 INVENTOR.

Patented Sept. 27, 1949 UNITED STATES ATE-NT OF F ICE ENGINE ROCKER James M. Leake, Monroe, Mich.

Application September 21, 1945, Serial No.-617,827

11 Claims. i

This invention relates to improvements in engine rocker arms, and more particularly to the type of rocker :ar-m nsed to operate the valves of an overhead valve'intern'al combustion engine.

My co-pending application Serial No. 553,645, now Patent No. 2,415,2 3 issued February .4, 194.7, provides a hollow stampedengine rocker in which the oil is forced to thetop of the arm member and then flows over the top of the arm member to provide lubrication for the contacting :bearings.

My improved engine rock-erarm provides a lubrication system which acts more positively, controls the quantity-of lubricant and provides lubricant as soon as the internal combustion engine 'isstar ted.

Consider-able difficulty has been encountered in properly lubricating the contacting bearings of overhead valve internal combustion engines. If too much lubrication is provided to the rocker arm-operating the intake 'valve the vacuum in the intake manifold draws or sucks thelubricant into the intake manifold. results excessive oil consumption and carbon in the combustion chamber. When too much lubricant is provided to the engine rocker arm operating the exhaust valve-the oil-partially burnson theexhaust valve stem leaving acarbon deposit which causes the valves to stick. When too little lubricant is provided, excessive wear of the working parts results.

In some engine rocker arms oil --channels are provided in the upper surface o f theeng ine rocker arm. Dirt and-sludge fillsthese channels-and improper -l-ubrication results.

EMy improved engine rocker arm overcomes these 'diificulties.

One objector my invention is to provide an engine rocker arm that provides lubrication'vvhen "the engine is started as Well as providing the proper quantity of lubricant all the time the internal combustion engine is operating.

Anotherobjeot Of my invention is to provide-an eng ine rocker arm that provides positive lubrication.

Another objectof -myinvention is to providean engine rocker arm with a hollow *cross sectional construction formed from-sheet'metal.

Another object of my inventionis to pro-videa'n engine rocker arm providing a wick to transmit the lubricant from the hub to the contacting "bearing.

.Another object of myin-ventionis to provide an eng in'e .rocker arm that is adapted to quantity .Inpdu'ction.

.Another object of my in'vent'ion isto prov idean sen'gine rockerzarm that is light in weight.

Another object of my invention is to provide an engine rocker :arm that is strong, durable, dependable and inexpensive.

With the foregoing and other objects in view the invention consists in the novel construction, combination andarrangement .of parts as hereinafter more specifically describedand illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein are shown several embodimets of my invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications therein can be resorted to which come within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

In the-drawing forming a portion of this specification and wherein like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of my improved engin'e rocker arm.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of my improved engine rocker arm.

Fig. :3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 2 with theaddition of an adjustable contacting bearing, a lock nut and a rocker arm shaft.

Fig. 4 is an end --,elevation of my novel engine rocker arm.

Fig.5 is a top plan view of the inner stamped member of my improved engine rocker arm.

Fig-6 is a'front elevation of the inner stamped .member slrown in Fig. 5.

Fig. '7 is an end elevationof the inner stamped .membershown in. Figs. 5 and 6.

Fig. Bis a front elevation of the hub used in my novel engine rocker arm.

Fig. 9 isasectional view taken along line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a bottom viewof the arm member of my improved engine rocker arm.

Fig. J11 is a fron'televa'tion Of the arm member shown in Fig. 10.

Fig. I2 is a front elevation of the bushing used in my novel engine rocker arm.

Fig. 13 is a sectional View taken along line l'3-'l3 of Fig. '12.

Fig. 14 15a sectional view showing a slight variation-of my-improved engine rocker arm shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 15-is a sectional view taken along line IE-l5 of Fig. 14.

Referrin tothe drawings, it is seen that the arm member 'I is of inverted U-shaped sheet metal construction. The arm member .i is formed from a blank by 'a'stampingprocess. One

:end of the arm member "i isprovided with. a semicylindrical portion '2, adapted to receive a fixed contacting bearing 3. The opposite end of the arm member I is provided with a hollow partial prism portion 4, which is adapted to retain the threaded member 5. Apertures S in the side walls T'! of the arm member I are adapted to receive the tubular hub member 8. A bushing 9 is secured in the hub member 8. The engine rocker arm is journaled on a shaft 3| as shown in Fig. 3. The bushing 9 serves as a bearing or wearing surface which oscillates on the shaft 3! while in operation. The threaded stem of the contacting bearing II is adjustably secured in the threaded member 5.

An inner stamped member I2 is secured between the side walls 1-4. The inner stamped member 12 is provided with a curved portion l3 that is juxtaposed the lower portion of the hub mem-, ber 8. An extending portion [4 extends rearwardly and upwardly adjacent the threaded member 5. provided with extending ears l5l 5 engaging the side walls l'l. The forward end of the inner stamped member i2 is formed into a substantially tubular portion 16. A wick I1 is located in the tubular portion l6 protruding forwardly, adjacent the fixed contactin bearing 3 and extending rearwardly in the coinciding slots 18 and 19.

In assembling the engine rocker arm, the arm member I, the threaded member 5, the hub 8, the

inner stamping l2 and the fixed contacting bearing 3 are preferably welded or brazed into a one piece member. The adjustable contacting bearing l I is adjustably secured in the threaded member 5 and is then looked in position by the lock nut 20. The bushing 9 is press fitted in the hub 8 so that the slots 18 and i9 coincide. A wick H fits in the slots l8 and I9, extends through the tubular portion [6 and contacts the fixed contacting bearing 3.

In actual operation of an internal combustion engine oil under pressure is fed from a, source of supply (not shown) through an oil duct 28 in the rocker arm shaft 3| to the wick portion 2i located in the coinciding slots I 8 and I9. Oil or other lubricant soaks along the wick member l1 through the tubular member [6 and feeds onto the lower surface 22 of the fixed contacting bearing 3. Once the wick I1 is saturated with oil, it retains a quantity of oil after the internal combustion engine stops. When th engine is startedagain the saturated wick ll provides lubricant to the contacting surface 22. The most wear of the fixed contacting bearing normally takes place when an engine is started preceding the time that the oiling system feeds lubricant on the bearing surface. My novel arrangement overcomes this disadvantage.

All the oil that reaches the fixed contacting bearing 3 must pass through the wick H. The amount of oil fed through the wick varies very little under different operating conditions. Hence my novel arrangement supplies sufficient lubrication and at the same time prevents an excess of oil from being fed to the contacting bearing at any and all operating conditions. In the present engines, the engine rocker arms are provided with open oil ducts. In this type of engine rocker arm the amount of oil fed to the contacting bearing varies depending on the speed of the engine, the fluctuation in oil pressure, the viscosity of the oil, the temperature of the oil and the amount and intensity of vibration.

Fig. 14 shows a slightly modified form of my invention. All the parts in the engine rocker The rearwardly extending portion 14 is arm shown in Fig. 14 are like the parts shown in Fig. 3 excepting the inner stamped member 23, which is similar to the inner stamped member l2. The inner stamped member 23 is provided with a protruding portion 24 which engages the hub 8 to form a closed chamber 25. A substantially semi-cylindrical portion 21 provides an oil duct 29 which conducts oil from the slots I8 and I9 to the chamber or oil reservoir 25. The oil duct 38 allows oil to be transmitted or thrown from the chamber 25 onto the adjustable contacting bearin H (shown only in Fig. 3). The tubular portion 26 of the inner stamped member 23 is the same as the tubular portion I6 of the inner stamped member i2. This form of my novel engine rocker arm provides a sealed chamber 25 which prevents oil from collecting in this portion of the arm member and then spilling over the hub member. It also strengthens the engine rocker arm and prevents dirt from collecting in the portion of the arm member 1 represented by the chamber 25.

The engine rocker arms of the present invention is rugged in construction and appearance but light in weight. While I have shown and described several embodiments of my invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes, omissions, additions and subtractions may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention as set forth in the accompanying claims.

What I claim is:

1. An engine rocker arm comprising an arm member provided with spaced side walls; a hub member extending transversely to said arm member intermediate its ends; a slot in said hub; an inner stamping engaging said hub between said side walls and terminating in a tubular portion and a wick secured in said slot and said tubular portion whereby oil is transmitted from said hub to a predetermined point.

2. An engine rocker arm comprising an arm member provided with spaced vertical side walls; a hub member intermediate the ends of said arm member and protruding on each side thereof; a stamped member secured to the lower portion of said hub member in engagement with said side walls and extending in a substantially tubular portion and a wick secured in said tubular portion adapted to transmit lubricant from the hub to a predetermined point.

3. An engine rocker arm comprising an arm member provided with spaced side walls; a hub intermediate the ends of said arm member; a stamped metal member, secured to said hub and said sidewalls, provided with a tubular portion, and a wick located in said tubular member, extending to said hub adapted to transmit lubricant from the hub to a predetermined point.

4. An engine rocker arm comprising a hollow sheet metal arm member; a hub intermediate the ends of said arm member; a wick; an inner stamped member extending from said hub and terminating in a tubular portion adapted to retain said wick, said wick extending to a point within said hub member whereby lubricant is transmitted from within said hub to a predetermined point.

5. An engine rocker arm comprising an inverted U-shaped arm member; a hub transversely secured in said arm member between the ends thereof; a stamped member secured adjacent the lower portion of said hub member and extending therefrom in a substantially tubular portion; and a wick extending from the inner side of said hub through said tubular portion, whereby lubricant is conducted from said hub to a predetermined point.

6. An engine rocker arm comprising an arm member provided with spaced walls; a tubular hub member secured in said spaced walls; a fixed contacting bearing secured at one end of said arm member; a stamped member secured adjacent the lower portion of said hub member and extending toward said fixed contacting bearing in a tubular portion; and a wick extending from said fixed contacting bearing through said tubular portion to a predetermined point within said tubular hub member, whereby lubricant is carried from a point within said hub member to said fixed contacting bearing.

7. An engine rocker arm comprising an arm member provided with spaced walls; a tubular hub member transversely secured intermediate the ends of said arm member; a fixed contacting bearing secured at one end of said arm member; a threaded member secured between said spaced walls at the other end of said arm member; a stamped member secured adjacent the lower portion of said hub member and extending in substantially opposite directions therefrom, one end of said stamped member extending adjacent said threaded member and rigidly secured thereto, the other end of said stamped member terminating in a substantially tubular portion and a Wick secured in said tubular portion extending from said hub to said fixed contacting bearing.

8. An engine rocker arm comprising an arm member provided with spaced side walls, a hub member transversely secured intermediate the ends of said arm member; a fixed contacting bearing secured at one end of said arm member; a threaded member secured between said spaced walls at the other end of said arm member; a stamped member provided with a curved portion secured adjacent the lower portion of said hub member, one end of said stamped member extending adjacent said threaded member and secured thereto, the other end of said stamped member provided with a tubular portion retaining a Wick member, said wick member adapted to transmit lubricant from a point within said hub to the surface of said fixed contacting bearing.

9. An engine rocker arm comprising a pressed sheet metal arm member provided with spaced side walls; a hub member transversely secured intermediate the ends of said arm member; a bushing secured in said hub adapted to be journaled on a shaft; a fixed contacting bearing secured at one end of said arm member; a threaded member secured between said spaced walls at the other end of said arm member; a stamped member extending between said side walls provided with a curved portion juxtaposed the lower portion of said hub member, said stamped member provided with a rearwardly extending portion engaging said threaded member and a forwardly extending tubular portion retaining a wick member, said wick member extending from a point adjacent said shaft to said fixed contacting bearing whereby lubricant is transmitted from an .oil passageway in said shaft to said contacting bearing.

10. An engine rocker arm comprising a pressed sheet metal arm member provided with spaced side walls; a hub member transversely secured intermediate the ends of said arm member; a bushing secured in said hub adapted to be journaled on a shaft; a fixed contacting bearing secured at one end of said arm member; a threaded member secured between said spaced walls at the other end of said arm member; a stamped member extending between said side walls provided with a curved portion juxtaposed the lower portion of said hub member, said stamped member provided with a rearwardly extending portion engaging said threaded member and a forwardly extending tubular portion retaining a wick member, said wick member extending from a point adjacent said shaft to said fixed contacting bearing whereby lubricant is transmitted from an oil passageway in said shaft to said contacting bearing, and an oil passageway extending from said hub member to the proximity of said threaded member.

11. An engine rocker arm comprising a pressed sheet metal arm member provided with spaced side walls, and an upper wall; a hub member intermediate the ends of said arm member; a bushing in said hub adapted to be journaled on a shaft; a fixed contacting bearing secured at one end of said arm member; an internally threaded member secured at the other end of said arm member; an adjustable contacting bearing adjustably secured in said internally threaded member; a stamped sheet metalinner member provided with a curved portion adjacent said hub, a forwardly extending portion and a rearwardly extending portion, said forwardly extending portion having a substantially tubular portion adapted to retain a wick, said rearwardly extending portion engaging said side walls, said threaded member, said upper wall whereby an oil reservoir is provided; an oil passageway from said shaft to said oil reservoir; and an oil passageway extending from said .oil reservoir adapted to transmit oil from said oil reservoir to said adjustable contacting bearing; said wick extending from a coinciding slot in said hub and said bushing through said tubular portion to said fixed contacting bearing, whereby lubricant is transmitted from said shaft to said fixed contacting bearing.

JAMES M. LEAKE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,557,203 Keilholtz et a1 Oct. 13, 1925 1,699,659 Fagan Jan. 22, 1929 1,775,635 Ball Sept. 16, 1930 2,338,726 Leake Jan. 11, 1944 

